Liam Lawson ‘really grateful’ for Red Bull’s infamous pressure in junior career
Liam Lawson feels ready to take on the challenge of racing against Max Verstappen, credits to 'pressure' from Red Bull's junior program.
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Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson (via IMAGO)
Liam Lawson finally received the dream opportunity to race for Red Bull, as he replaced Sergio Perez for the 2025 season. The Kiwi made his debut in Formula 1 in 2023 with AlphaTauri (currently RB) and immediately got up to speed, earning him the most coveted seat of the current era. Lawson shared his contentment on receiving the promotion after being with Red Bull’s junior categories for over six years.
Liam Lawson has already been issued multiple warnings against racing Max Verstappen in the upcoming 2025 season. The Kiwi performed better than Yuki Tsunoda during tests and hence received the promotion to Milton Keynes. Still the 23-year-old will be subjected to extreme pressure and competition against the Red Bull ace.
Lawson recently revealed that he faced his fair share of ‘pressures’ after being in Red Bull’s junior program since he was just 16 years old. Going through such pressures from an early age helped him shape perfectly for Formula 1. Hence, the 23-year-old insisted that he was ‘grateful’ for facing the pressure of racing at the pinnacle of motorsport from a young age.
I think in this environment, I’ve been in this junior team for a long time. [2024 was] my sixth year with Red Bull, and that pressure came when I was 16 years old, and I’d never felt pressure like that. To step into F1 without that experience of having that pressure on you from a young age I think would be really, really tough. So I’m grateful to have had that for so many years.
Liam Lawson told RacingNews365.com.
Liam Lawson reveals the ‘benefit’ of being a Red Bull junior
Not many Red Bull junior drivers have excelled as well as Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda in Formula 1. The Austrian constructor hones young talent in the best way possible due to the highly competitive environment. Liam Lawson pointed out that he never expected his F1 debut to be so extreme. Lawson noted that the way Red Bull prepared junior drivers was the biggest ‘benefit’ for them.
I never knew that it could be like that, to be honest, going into a racing season. That’s one of the benefits of being with Red Bull for so long is in a way it builds you for F1.
Liam Lawson noted.
With Lawson joining the team, Red Bull’s tumultuous pace in the 2024 season must find improvement. The Kiwi should give everything he has while going head-to-head with the reigning world champion, as his every move will get evaluated by Red Bull, who won’t think twice if they have to sack him. As such, the 23-year-old must remain on his toes and ensure minimal errors during races.
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Aditya Pandya
(1552 Articles Published)